TWO magical third quarter moments tipped the balance in favour of Caldy in a full-blooded National Two North League clash with Cheshire rivals Chester at Paton Field last Saturday.

It finished 20-13 to the home side which meant an added bonus as the game doubled up for a place in the final of the Cheshire Cup in the new year.

All the players deserved credit for putting on some sort of a show in horrendous wet and sometimes windy conditions.

Chester fealt they deserved a draw but there only reward in the end was a losing bonus point.

A brace of penalties from Callum Bennett earned Chester a 6-0 advantage by the 25th minute, but Caldy hit back with two successful efforts by Gavin Roberts before a well-worked Chester try and the conversion in first-half added time made it 6-13.

One always fealt Caldy had a little bit more to give and indeed they levelled three minutes after the re-start thanks to a defence spitting run by Roberts who broke the eventual tackle to touch down before converting from wide out on the left.

The home side then went in front for the first time on 55 minutes with Nick Royle collecting a deft Jack Lavin cross kick to get over near the right corner.

Against the odds Roberts added another fine goal.

That was the end of the scoring and the final quarter became a real dog fight in deteriorating conditions.

The final whistle was a welcome sound for everyone.

This win for Caldy puts them fourth in the division with a game in hand on most rivals. Chester are down to ninth.

Wirral find themselves second placed in National Three North League after seeing off cross river rivals Waterloo 24-10 at Clatterbridge.

Birkenhead Park lost a close encounter against Rossendale at the Upper Park 22-25.

The balance could easily have gone the other way with a couple of key decisions late on contraversial to say the least.

Matt Ibbotson and Adam Wellington following a great run by Danny Rich scored tries for Park.

There was also a penalty try whilst Dave Hall landed two conversions and one penalty.

New Brighton were delighted to register an 18-17 home success against Glossop in South Lancashre/Cheshire One to keep hopes of a 2016 promotion push still alive.

Anselmians also came up trumps with a 21-15 finish at LSH but Hoylake went under 20-32 against Douglas on the Isle of Man Oxton Parkonians took the Merseyside West derby against Wallasey 17-15.

Dan Bythe, Andy Smith and Terry Williams touched down for Parks and one conversion by Smith proved decisive. Prenton lost 12-35 at Newton Le Willows.

The Ellesmere Port v St Edwards and Oldershaw v Port Sunlight matches were called off.

There is no league rugby scheduled for this coming Saturday and the following weekend the only club due in action is Caldy.

They have a massive date against league leaders Macclesfield at Paton Field on January 2 and are well capable of creating an upset.

The kick-off will be at 2pm.

Meanwhile the annual Brothers versus Veterans match for the Beckett Hillan Shield takes place at Oxton Parkonians Holm Lane ground on Boxing Day with a 1.30pm kick-off.

All are welcome.

On Sunday, December 27, the Upper Park stages the traditional Birkenhead Park v Old Birkonians match.

The kick-of for this one is 2.15pm and a good festive gathering is expected